PW's Year of Beer: The Bruery Trade Winds Tripel

We love beer. That's why we're devoting an entire year to discovering (and drinking) cold ones from near and far. Know of a beer worth shouting out? Send us a note at tips@philadelphiaweekly.com.

The next time someone scoffs and says a beer is an abomination because it is made with rice, explain that it’s not the ingredients that matter, it’s what you DO with those ingredients, then point them to this beer. This big, bold Belgian-style golden ale is made with rice and Thai basil. The former often draws sneers as a beer ingredient, but it’s perfect here, lightening the body of this tasty ale while helping boost the alcohol content to a hefty 8 percent ABV. With aromas of grass and lemon, and tastes of grains, grass, and white pepper, Trade Winds is zestier than your average tripel but still fits nicely into the category. It’s soft on the palate, too, allowing it to drink shockingly easy. This is a summer release, so go grab some at 320 Market Café before it’s gone.